Mower



Sept. 13, 1932. T, PAUL I 1,877,578

uowER Filed Aug. 18. 1950 Hill f means has been ineffective.

Patented Sept. 13, 1932 UNITED STATES ERALBER'I` W. PAUL, OF

PATE

NT NoI-l-flca l MOLINE, ILLINOIS, AssIGNon To DEERE acoisariilair,l or MOLINE, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION 0E ILLINOIS Y 'MowEn applic-moaned August 1s, 1930.1 serial No. 475,893.

This invention relates to mowers and more particularly to a thrust rod connection for the cutter bar of a. mower and frame whereby Wear usually resulting at the frame con vide between a mower frame and a'cutter bar associated therewith for lifting and tilting movement, a thrust rod having pivotal connection with the cutter bar anda similar near pivotal connection with the frame. Due

to the usual wear at the frame connection in! @ident to lifting and tilting movement ofv the cutter bar, the Vwear at this point of connection soon throws the cutting knife ont of registration with the usual ledger plates of the guard lingers supported on 'the cutterbar. To partially eliminate this detrimental effect, it has been heretofore customary to provide means at the point of connection between the thrust rod and the cutter bar at the front end of the thrust rod for correcting4 the registra# tion between the knife and ledger plates ofv the guard fingers as wear occurs at the point of connect-ion of the thrust rod' with, the frame at the rear end of the thrust' rod.

Vvlhilc such anarrangement has been effective to a certain degree, it has been foundthat this arrangement is only effective to a certain degree of wear and beyond such degree, such The present invention contemplates the elimination of the detrilnentalwear` factor by the provision of a novel connectionof the thrust rod with the frame. This is accomplished, morerspeciically, by the provision of a semi-sphericalV socket in the V:mower frame at the point of connection of the thrust rod with the frame and providing the thrust rod at this point with a semi-spherical enlargement cooperating with thesocket. A.

laterally enlarged passage convergingtoward the rear of the frame, ycommunicates ywith the socket and accommodates a considerably tapered, frustofconical extension provided 0 substantially centrally of the enlargement on the thrust rod. `'The outer side of the frame surrounding the adjacentouter endqof the passage, isfprovided with an' enlargement formed o n a `larger radius than the enlargev ment on the thrust'rod employing the center of. the renlargement on thev thrust rod as a center. Asuitable adjustable washeror the like conforming to'the shape'of the enlarge ment yon the frame and adjustably'secured to the lend of the lfrusto-conical extension on" tliethrust rod, cooperates with th'e'fenlargey ment on the frame to retain the rear end of the thrust rod in cooperative relation with the socket. Due to the considerably enlarged bearing surface provided between the socket and the enlargement on the thrust rod and inasmuch as ,the extension may have lateral movement'inthepassage, the wear incident to lifting and tilting of the cutter bar isl materially reduced at .this point. Anywear which Y might result atthis point may be readily" taken up byadjustment of the'washer asso# ciated with the extreme end of the extension on thevthrust'rod.

Other and further features of importance and advantage vwill appear from thev following detailed description of a Vpreferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan view of ai mower incorporating the. features of the au' l present `invention, such featuresbeing shown Y in'section;f

Figure/2 lar to thesection showninFigure 1;

Figure 3 is a section taken along the line 3-43 of Figure 1;` p p a 'Y Figure 4 is a section taken along the line 4-.4 of Figure 3; f

Figure 5 isa fragmentary .elevation of the rear; of the mower frame illustrating that portion thereof at the point of connection of the thrust rod therewith; and

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the thrust rod embodying the salienti features of the presentk invention. Y Y f Referring more-'particularly to VFigure' 1, I have fragmentarily illustrated a 'mower comprising a frame 11 having aA draft mem# ber 12 extending forwardly'therefr'om and".

Cutter bar 18 supports a knife 22 forrecipro-1 catory movement, the knife 22 being suitably connected to fly wheel 17 by means of a rod 23. A lever 24 suitably. supported upon the traineV 11 for convenient accessibility to an operator, is suitably vconnected by means of alever or crank arm 25 and link 26 to the Cutterbar 18 'forj-impartinglifting movement to the cutter bar. A second leverl 27 is alsolsuitably pivoted to the frame 11 at a point ofyconvenient,accessibility to the operator, and is suitably connected by means of a link 28 to a cutter,barsupporting Acasting 29 to impart tilting movement to the cutter A thrust rod V31 provided with a collar 32 adjacent the forward end thereof has a journal portionv 33 suitably supported Jr'or rotary movement within the casting 29 and isretained iii-such casting Aby a pin 34 passed through as uitable vhole35. VThe body portion offthethrust rod 31 extends diagonally rear-` wardly zfrom the castingV 29. to` the rear transverse :portion 36 kof the frame 11 andis prof vided adjacent its rear end with a semi-` sphericalenlargement 37. This enlargement.l

37 Yseats in a component socket 38vv provided in the fo'rw'ardsi de of the transverse portion 36 of frame 11. Centrally of Vthe semispherical enlargement 37 and extending rearwardly therefrom, is an eXtension39 tapering rearwardly and generally l of `frustoconical configuration, the rearmostv endv thereof 'protruding beyond the rear side of the .transverse Yportion, 3 6v of the frame 11. `This extension 39 Vis accommodated in a laterally enlarged passage l41 converging rearwardly in a vertical plane anddiverging slightly Ylaterally in the horizontal plane. The convergence rearwardly in the vertical plane, i. e., the rearwardly converging taper of'tlie'top and bottomwalls of the passageway or; opening 41, is such as to` correspond substantially to 'the degree of taper of the extension 39. -The lateral divergence Vof the sidev walls' of lsaid opening accommodates limited oscillation of the thrust rod 31 in a horizontal plane. The rear sideof the transverse portion 36 oi. the frame 11 surrounding the rear end of the passage 41 isformed with an enlargement 42 formed upon'a larger radius than the rod enlargement 37 but upon the same center as the spherical enlargement 37 or socket 38., A castellated washer v43 is fitted over the end ofthe extension 39 and.

provided in the extension B21-adjacent the end thereof. By removing this cotter pin and turning the washer to bring other pairs oi slots oi diii'erent depths into alignment with hole 45, the washercan be adjusted inwardly or outwardly for obtaining a different l'it or to take' up wear. Y

.It willbe readily apparent thatthe eonnection provided between the thrust rod 31V and therear transverse portion 36 of the framell permits afree turning of thethrust bar 31 as the'cutter bar is raised or 'lowered by means of thelifting lever 24 at which time a slight `amount of movement of the eX- tension 39 in the horizontal plane takes place. Substantially the same combination of movements likewise takes place when the cntterbar18 istilted by means of the tilting lever 27.

It will be readily apparent that due to the comparatively large contacting areas between the enlargement 37 on thethrust rod 3 1 andthe socket `38, and between the en largement 42 and the spherical inner surface of the washer 43, wear between these parts is considerablyreduced and such wear as will take place .Will'b'e uniform over such areas.

While I. have illustrated a preferred embodiment ofmy invention, I do not wish to belimited thereto. A As. will be understood by those skilled'intheart, certain changes may be made therein without departing from the essence of the invention or the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What I claimand desire to secure by Letters Patent isz;l 1. In combination in a mower, a supporting-frame member, a cutter member associated with said frame member for lifting and tilting movement, a thrust rodV having pivf otal connection withone Yof said members, a socket in the other of said members, a passage throughg'the vsaid other member ceinmunicating with vsaid socket, an enlargement onsaid rodcooperating with said socketoit said other member, andan extension on said rod beyond said enlargement cooperating with said, passage.

*2. In eombin ation iii a mower, asupportiiig framememberV a cutter member associated with 4said frame'member for lifting and tiltingmo'vemenaa thrust rodV having pivotal connection with one of said members, a socket inthe other oiclsaid members, a laterally eloni gated divergent .passage in said other ineinber communicating with said socket, an en- Sii largement oii-.said'rod Cooperating with said:y socket,` and@k an" extension: on= said. rodi beyond'.

said enlargement cooperatingY with saidy passage;

otal connection.V with` one of said members,.a

10.x socket in the; other' of said members, a. lat:u

erally elongated divergent passage iii. said other' member communicating with said socket, an enlargement-1 on said: rodcooperauing with sai'dl socket and: auf-extension on; said;y

rod beyond said enlargement. cooperating Withsaid passage, saidI extension. being adapted?V to have rotary and lateral.y movementl `irr` said passage` and being precluded from transverse movement Withrespect to said passage.

4. In combination in a movver, a. frame, a cutter bar associated With said frame for lifting and tilting movement, a thrust rodv pivotally connected With said cutter bar, a

- socket in said frame a passage through the frame communicating With said socket, an enlargement on said rod cooperating With said socket, and an extension on said rod cooperating With said passage. 1

5. In combination in a mower, a frame, `a cutter bar associated with said frame for lifting and tilting movement, a thrust rod Vpivotally connected With said cutter bar, a socket in said frame, a laterally elongated divergentpassage through said framecoininunicating With socket, an enlargement on said rod cooperating with said socket, and an extension on said rod cooperating With said passage.

6. In combination in a moWer,a frame, a Vcutter bar associated with said frame for lifting and tilting movement, a thrust rod pi f-'otally connected with saidv cutter bar, a socket in said fra-ine, a laterally elongated divergent passage through said frame communicating Withsaid socket, an enlargement on said rod cooperating With said socket, and

an extension on said rod cooperating with said passage, said extension being adapted tol s have rotary and lateral movement in Vsaidpassage and being precluded from transverse movement With respect to said passage.

7. In combination in a mower, a frame,

' a cutter bar associated with said frame for through to the outer side of said frame, and. means cooperating With the outerv side of said.

frame and said extension to retain said eX- g tension in said passage.

In combination. iii amower,A ai support-y 8; In co-mbination` in ai'moweraa frame, l

a" cutter bar associated with; said, frame for' lifting and' tilting movement, a thrust rodpivotally connected withy saidcutter bar, a` socket in' saidl frame,l a1passage Vthrough the frame communicatingwith said/socket, an. enlargement on said vrod cooperating` WithY .said2socket,.an extension. on said enlargement coo ,erating` With said assaUeand extendinbeyondsaidl frame, anfenlargement. on.: said;

frame adjacent said -passage',andi means associatfed With Vsaid extensionfand cooperating With said frame enlargement for retaining"` said extension in said passage and.'= said? `rodenlargemeiit insaid-"socket f A A 9.@ combination .ini as movveni a' frame, a kcutter bar associated with saidframe for' lift-ing and tilting movement, aA thrust f rod pivotallyr connected With said cutter: bar, AVa

socket inf saidy framefapassage through the fra-me,r communicating*Withy said socket, an enlargement onzsaid rod cooperating lwithYrv saidsock'et, an extension on said enlargement cooperating With saidpassageand extending tliizoughto the outer side of' saidY frame,- and adjustable means cooperating Withthe outer side ofY` saidv frame and said eXtensionto re `tain said extension in saidy passage;

10;V In; combinationv ini a mower, aframe, a` cutter bar associatedwitli said frame for lifting andipt'iltingmovement', af thrust rod pivotall'y: connected with saidl cutter bar, a socketin said' frame, arpassagey throughthe frameV communicating with said* socket, ,an

lenlargement on said rod cooperating'V with;

said'socket, an'extensionfon said enlargement cooperating with saidf passageA and extending' beyond said frame, an enlargement on saidV frame adjacentsa-id passage,'and adjustable means associated With said extension anddcooperating with, said yframe enlargement lfor",Y

retaining said extension in sai'd passageand' saidy rod enlargement in saidsocket.

1li In combina-tion in amower, af frame,

a cutter-barV associated with sa'id frame fori liftingl and tilting movement, althrust rods pivotally connected with said cutter bar, a semi-spherical socket' i'nsaid frame, a passagewtlirough the .frame communicating with said socket,'an enlargement onsaid rodco'- operating with said socket, an extensionVV on said enlargement:cooperating with' said passage andextending beyond said frame, an

enlargementfon said fraine surrounding theA outer end' of said passage and formedV with;

the center of said'socket as a c-enter,fand means associated With said extension and cooperating withsaid" frame enlargement for retain-- ingsaid: extension in said passage and said rod-'enlargement in said socket. p Y Y c vk12. In combinationin a mower, a frame, a: cutter p bar associated with said frame for; lifting and tilting movement, aY thrust rod pivotally connected with. said. cutter bar, a:

semi-spherical socket in said frame, a passage throughy the frame communicating with said socket, an enlargement on said rod co-4 operating with said socket, an extension on said enlargement cooperating with said pas'- sage and.extendingfbeyond said frame, an enlargement on said frame surrounding the outer end of said passage and formed with the center of said socket as a center, and means associated with said extension and coope 'ating' with said frame enlargement for retaining said extension in said passage and saidfrod enlargement in said socket, said means being. adjustable concentrically with iespectto the axis of said extensionto take up Wearbetween said rod enlargement and said socket. z

13. In Combination in a mower, a supporting frame member, a cutter member associated with said-frame member for lifting and tilting movement, a thrust rod having pivotal connection with one of said members, a socket in the other of said members, a divergent pas sage in said other member communicating with said socket, an enlargement on said rod cooperating With. saidsocket, and an eXtension on said rod beyondsaid enlargement co.-

operating with said'passage.`

14.- In, combination in a mower, a frame, a

Y cutter bar associated with said frame for lift- 4 ingand tilting movement, a thrust member connected with said cutter bar and having an enlargement with an extension projecting therefrom, a socket in the frame to receive sa-id enlargement, and a passage through the Y frame larger than said extension toloosely receivethe latter and to provide for limited relative movement thereof.

15. In combination in a mower, a frame,Y -a cutter bar associated with said frame for lifting Aand tilting movement, la thrust-member connected with said cutter bar and having an enlargement with an extension projecting therefrom, a socket in the frame to receive said enlargement, a vpassage through the frame larger than said extension to loosely' receive the latter and to providefor limited I forca-nd aftfon'said frame `and providing a.

forward socket and a rear opening, an enlargement on said, rod cooperating with said ing within the opening of said means.

l?. In combination in a mower, a frame, a

cutter bar associated with said frame for lifting and tiltingmovement, a lthrust rod connected with said cutter-bar, lug `means' extending downwardly from said frame and positioned fore and aftV thereof, said lug socket, and an extension on said rod cocperat-V meansl having a socket in one portionthere-4 of and an opening in fore and aft alinemet vith said socket, an enlargement on said rod cooperatingwith said socket, and said rod having a portion thereof cooperating within the openingin said lug means. r 18. In combination `in a mower, a frame,

a cutter bar associated with said frame for lifting and tilting movement, a thrust rod connected with said cutter bar, means includ.- ing portions spaced fore and aft on said frame, an enlargement onsaidrod cooperat-r ing with one of said portions, and an eXtension on said rodcooperating with the other of eoY roo 

